Last year, Russ Cannings accomplished an amazing feat, seeing 373 species of birds in British Columbia between January 1 and December 31, 2010.
With this inspiration, I have decided to undertake a similar quest in 2011, albeit in a much smaller geographic area, the Victoria, BC, Checklist Area.
The current record, established by Chris Saunders, stands at a daunting 251 (243 of these being self-found birds). It only takes a quick look at the Victoria Checklist to realize what exactly goes into that kind of number, and what exactly I have gotten myself into.
So I need to find 252 species. The first 220 or so should be relatively easy, but after that it gets hard. Couple that with the fact that I will be spending the first week of June birding in Ottawa, and the last week of September on a pelagic out of Westport and catching up with shorebird migration in Oregon, and I really have my work cut out for me!
Along the way, I am looking forward to meeting Victoria birders I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet, catching up with old friends, discovering some spots I haven't found yet, and maybe adding a lifer or two!
I may succeed, I may not, but either way it is going to be one heck of a fun year, and there are definitely worse things one could do than to spend a lot of time out birding! (and if I don't make it, there is always next year!)
This blog, however, is not just about a quest (read: obsession), but also about the birders, birds, and hidden gems in the Victoria area. Comments are always welcome, and in addition to a running tally of species seen, I will also be keeping a current "wish list" of species in season (or residents that for one reason or another, I have not caught up with). Any tips on locations would be greatly welcomed and kept confidential if need be.
It should be a fun year, whether I hit 252 or not, and I look forward to seeing you all in the field!
Jeremy Kimm
Victoria, BC
